Washington, Dec 3(UNI) President Joe Biden on Thursday announced stricter travel rules in view of reports of cases of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron being reported from across the country.
Making the announcement Mr Biden said that his plan "doesn't include shutdowns or lockdowns" and does not expand vaccine mandates, BBC reported on Friday.
Under the rules all international passengers will have to be tested for the virus in the 24 hours before they leave for the US, regardless of their vaccination status. Mask requirements on planes, trains and buses will be mandatorily extended until March.
The Omicron variant cases have been detected in California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York and in Hawaii, where officials have said that person had no recent travel history.
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